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Candidates emphasize inclusive culture, fiscal discipline and teacher support at Maplewood-Richmond Heights forum
Summary
At a PALB candidate forum ahead of the April 8 election, candidates Julie Francois and Brian Matts emphasized protecting public education, improving communication with residents and exercising fiscal discipline while boosting support for teachers.
At a candidate forum hosted by the Principal Advisory Leadership Board (PALB) at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School, challengers Julie Francois and Brian Matts set out priorities they said they would pursue if elected to the school board.
Julie Francois, who said she is a Maplewood resident with two children in the district, highlighted her volunteer work — including raising about $60,000 for PTO activities — and described her commitment to keeping MRH public and inclusive. "I believe in public education," Francois said, adding that she supports the district’s work because her son, who has autism, has been accepted and supported in MRH schools.
Brian Matts, who described his family’s long connection to the district and said the board elected him treasurer, stressed fiscal discipline and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. "We need to find ways to slow the rate of growth in our expenses," Matts said, arguing that careful budgeting will help the district weather possible future funding changes at the state or federal level.
Both candidates told the audience they would keep lines of communication open with teachers, administrators and parents; they cited regular contact at events, CBA meetings and use of teacher and parent channels as ways to surface concerns and priorities from staff and families. Francois and Matts also discussed outreach to residents without children in the schools and the need for varied communications — from mailed newsletters to social media — so voters understand budget requests.
On student and teacher issues, Francois emphasized protecting students’ ability to "show up authentically," and Matts and other speakers urged reducing administrative burdens on teachers while investing in professional development and pay. "Take care of our teachers and provide a place they want to come to work," Matts said.
The forum ended with audience questions about handling potential federal budget cuts and other external pressures; candidates said the district has short-term reserves and stressed building longer-term fund balance. The session paused for a brief intermission so the sitting board could join the stage for a follow-up discussion.
The election is scheduled for April 8; the candidates and sitting board members also addressed two ballot propositions at the forum.
